Could this All-Star be the answer at first base for the Nationals in 2023?

Another interesting and hypothetical scenario was presented by Bleacher Report a few days ago when Tim Kelly floated the idea that the Washington Nationals might look to sign Yandy Díaz to bolster the first base position. Let’s break down his fit on this team to see if it even makes sense for the Nats.

We know that first base has been a position of need for this club since the retirement of Ryan Zimmerman, and the endless cycle of minor leaguers and veteran stopgap players has become a burden for us Nats fans. I would like to see the Nats use a capable veteran as a multi-year option for the club, or at least until a top prospect like Yohandy Morales is ready to become a full-time major league player. The team will have plenty of options in free agency as we have already published an article on the state of the free agent first base market.

However, if the Nats were to pursue the trade route, Díaz would certainly be a very interesting option. I believe he would be able to improve the position immediately, as even his subpar first half last season would still have been an improvement over a lot of what we’ve seen at the position this year. Although he didn’t match his performance from the 2023 season when he was named an All-Star for the first time, Díaz still put together a very solid season. This trade would remind me a lot of the Josh Bell trade, and ultimately that was a successful trade for Mike Rizzo.

As you can see above, Díaz experienced a dip in every offensive category in 2024 despite playing more games than 2023, but was definitely still an above-average player. He experienced some frustrating situations this season as he battled a number of minor injuries and also had arguments in the dugout with infielder José Caballero. While he is by no means a hothead, there have been rumors in the Rays media that the team may have tried to sell him for the right price given the possibility that his value will never be higher as a 33-year-old baseman.

In all likelihood, the Nationals wouldn’t need much to get a deal done here. Díaz represents a very realistic buy-low option for the club, and I could certainly see the Rays making a deal if the Nats offered two top-30 prospects. One thing about trading with the Rays is that you don’t really see them making losing trades. So if they make him available, they might know something that no other club knows. However, if they accepted the deal for, say, No. 27 Jackson Rutledge and another prospect, I would definitely be inclined to take that chance at the 2023 All-Star.

I don’t know if the Nationals will pursue Yandy Díaz this offseason, but if they don’t feel like signing a long-term deal or making a major financial commitment to anyone in the free agency pool, then they should look at this deal a lot make sense. Only time will tell if Díaz has already reached his peak in the league or if he still has more potential, but if his strong second half last season was any indicator, Díaz would be a worthwhile fit for an up-and-coming team like this Nationals in need of an established veteran presence.

Would you be against the Nationals acquiring Yandy Díaz? What would you be satisfied with if you gave up?